Hello. I want to vault my ceiling in the bedroom and would like to know how to beef up the rafters that will allow me to remove the ceiling joists

mae-ling

01-31-2012 05:47 PM

A lot depends on how your rafters are built. Are they 'stick framed' or trusses.
Really need to get someone to look at it and tell you what you can and can not do.

joecaption

01-31-2012 06:01 PM

Seams like a good idea, but a lot of work, there's got to be something to stop the roof rafter from spreading, all the heat is going to stay traped up near the peak so your going to have to add some ceiling fans to force it back down.
Any time I built a room like this the customer calls back and complains it's now the coldest room in the house.

titanoman

01-31-2012 07:18 PM

Like Joe says, your walls will spread without a ridge beam.

mae-ling

02-01-2012 03:07 PM

Depending on the existing structure of the roof system it may be possible, there are ways to keep the walls from spreading. As stated ceiling fans are a good idea.

titanoman

02-01-2012 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mae-ling

Depending on the existing structure of the roof system it may be possible, there are ways to keep the walls from spreading. As stated ceiling fans are a good idea.

Ceiling fans will keep the walls from spreading? Uh-uh.
And yes, perpendicular walls can be sheared or braces let in to counter any tendency to move, as well as the roof itself could be keeping these straight or can possibly be utilized to do so. Depends on the configuration of everything.

mae-ling

02-02-2012 12:23 AM

Two separate thoughts.

AndyGump

02-02-2012 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert1961dob
(Post 840503)

Hello. I want to vault my ceiling in the bedroom and would like to know how to beef up the rafters that will allow me to remove the ceiling joists

Unfortunately that is just not a question that can be answered here with any kind of authority.
A designer for this would need to know the existing condition of the rafters, ceiling joists, walls, insulation because now you will be looking at doing a non-vented attic, and many other considerations that have to be planned out to work as a whole plan for your house.

Andy.

jmiller

02-02-2012 08:56 AM

You could do a tray ceiling instead. It would look better than a vault in a BR IMO, not to mention be easier to keep it from coming down like a house of cards.